beech

/bitʃ/

/bitʃ/

Other forms: beeches

Definitions of beech

1. noun

   any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions
   synonyms: beech tree

   types:

   European beech, Fagus sylvatica, common beech

   large European beech with minutely-toothed leaves; widely planted as an ornamental in North America

   Fagus purpurea, Fagus sylvatica atropunicea, Fagus sylvatica purpurea, copper beech, purple beech

   variety of European beech with shining purple or copper-colored leaves

   American beech, Fagus americana, Fagus grandifolia, red beech, white beech

   North American forest tree with light green leaves and edible nuts

   Fagus pendula, Fagus sylvatica pendula, weeping beech

   variety of European beech with pendulous limbs

   Japanese beech

   a beech native to Japan having soft light yellowish-brown wood

   type of:

   tree

   a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
2. noun

   wood of any of various beech trees; used for flooring and containers and plywood and tool handles
   synonyms: beechwood

   type of:

   wood

   the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees